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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Alaska the Greatland

Alaska wilderness rail loop from Fairbanks to Prince William Sound

Illustration of Alaska the Greatland

Vacations By Rail guides 9 days through Alaska's interior and coastal regions starting in Fairbanks and ending in Anchorage, with stops in Denali, Talkeetna, Seward, and Prince William Sound. On Day 2, you board a historic riverboat along the Chena River to visit a Native Alaskan village and meet sled dogs. The tour then takes you aboard the Denali Star in Adventure Class toward the Denali plateau, where you spend a full day exploring the 92-mile park road by coach in search of grizzly bears, caribou, moose, and wolves. You return to the Denali Star in premium GoldStar Class with glass-domed observation cars for the journey south to Talkeetna, then travel by coach through the Kenai Peninsula to Seward. A cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park offers chances to see tidewater glaciers and marine life, including humpback whales and sea lions. The final leg combines a Prince William Sound cruise with a ride on the Glacier Discovery train back to Anchorage. A professional tour manager accompanies the entire group, organizing meals, activities, and transfers. This tour suits travelers who want guided comfort, wildlife viewing, and two distinctive railroad experiences without planning logistics themselves.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights to Fairbanks and airport transfers are not included; arrange separately before booking.
  • The itinerary includes one unguided arrival day in Fairbanks (Day 1); you transfer independently to the hotel and meet the tour manager after check-in.
  • Cancellation and travel insurance are not included in the from-price and must be purchased separately if desired.
  • Day 4 offers optional paid excursions including helicopter flightseeing, river rafting, and a dinner show; the standard park tour is included.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Fairbanks

    Arrival in Fairbanks

    Arrive in Fairbanks and transfer to the hotel independently. After checking in for two nights, meet the Tour Manager and fellow travelers.

  2. Day 2overnight: Fairbanks

    Riverboat Discovery & Trail Breaker Kennel

    Board the riverboat Discovery for a tour along the Chena River to its confluence with the Tanana, disembarking at Chena Indian Village. Visit the Trail Breaker Kennel to meet sled dogs and learn about mushing, then gather for dinner on the property.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Denali

    Aboard the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park

    Board the historic Denali Star in Adventure Class for a scenic journey to Denali National Park, skirting the Nenana River.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Denali

    Exploring Denali National Park

    A tour of the world-famous Denali Park Road, a 92-mile narrated route with opportunities to view bears, caribou, moose and wolves. Optional excursions include helicopter flightseeing, river rafting, or the Cabin Nite dinner show.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Talkeetna

    Premium Denali Star experience en route to Talkeetna

    Board the Denali Star in GoldStar Class, with glass-domed railcars, an outdoor viewing platform and lunch in the dining car, crossing the Continental Divide and passing the Hurricane Gulch Bridge en route to Talkeetna.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  6. Day 6overnight: Seward

    Mt. Alyeska and the wild Kenai Peninsula

    Travel by motorcoach to Anchorage for a guided tour of the Anchorage Museum, then follow the Turnagain Arm to Mt. Alyeska for an aerial tram to the summit, before continuing to Seward.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Seward

    Seeking wildlife on a Kenai Fjords cruise

    A wildlife cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park to view tidewater glaciers, Resurrection Bay and marine life including humpback whales, orcas and sea lions.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8railovernight: Anchorage

    Prince William Sound & Glacier Discovery train

    Travel north through the Kenai Peninsula to Whittier via the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, then cruise Prince William Sound and Esther Passage with lunch aboard, before boarding Alaska Railroad's Glacier Discovery train to Anchorage.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  9. Day 9

    Traveling home

    Your Alaska vacation concludes this morning; with advance reservations, the hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to Anchorage's airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Ride the Riverboat Discovery along the Chena River to Chena Indian Village and meet sled dogs at Trail Breaker Kennel.
  • Day 4Tour the 92-mile Denali Park Road by coach to view bears, caribou, moose, and wolves in Denali National Park.
  • Day 5Board the Denali Star in GoldStar Class with glass-domed railcars and outdoor viewing platform, crossing the Continental Divide to Talkeetna.
  • Day 7Cruise Kenai Fjords National Park to view tidewater glaciers and marine life including humpback whales, orcas, and sea lions.
  • Day 8Cruise Prince William Sound and Esther Passage, then board the Glacier Discovery train back to Anchorage.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' hotel accommodation
  • GoldStar & Adventure Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of $5,499 USD includes both Alaska Railroad trains, the Denali Star and Glacier Discovery, in their respective cabin classes, plus all other coach and cruise transport throughout the tour.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is fully escorted. Vacations By Rail assigns a professional tour manager to the group from arrival through departure, leading all guided tours and excursions.
Which two trains are featured?
The Alaska Railroad's Denali Star from Fairbanks through Denali National Park to Talkeetna, traveling in Adventure Class for the first segment and GoldStar Class (with glass domes and outdoor viewing platforms) for the second, and the Glacier Discovery from Whittier to Anchorage.
What meals are included?
Seven breakfasts, two lunches, and one dinner are included. Lunch on Day 5 is served in the Denali Star dining car; lunch on Day 8 is served aboard the Prince William Sound cruise.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
The evidence rates this tour Mobility Rating 3, indicating moderate to substantial activity including hiking, stairs, and walking through towns and parks. Optional activities like helicopter flightseeing and river rafting in Denali are extra.
When does the tour run?
The pack does not list specific departure dates. Contact Vacations By Rail to confirm available dates for this 9-day tour.

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